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more apple jelly, 1
apricot jam, 1 plum jam- Boat came from Nogugu, so Derg
could not go,
yesterday- Just too bad- Dearie, helped me make out
money, "belong me", and our bank account-
We had a swim on the Pretty beach- Sewed after tea- Went
to bed 8.30.
Lou's birthday.
Fri: 2nd.
Up 5 to 6! Kitchen cleaned- Stove in afternoon Sewed a
good bit in morning- About 10 to 2 we
went over to the Mission. The doctor sounded me and said
the dear little baby is growing- and is
about 5 months about right with our count- Its lovely-
Back home again about 4.30.- We got out at
corn-house- Wrote in here and sewed after tea- Got
undressed and sewed on till 10.
Sat: 3rd.
Poured last night, and just teemed all morning-
Did House and cooked in morning- Asunga washing- Derg,
the dear old boy, bound the ends of
the mats in sitting-room- I had a grand bath in afternoon
then sewed and my Dearie read- A grand
Saturday, like always- I sewed after supper- We went to
bed early, and I started to read, aloud
"Rose of the world"- Such lovely glistening
moonlight on the trees, when we went to bed-
Sun: 4th.
Up at 7. Sat down to breakfast at 10 to 8 thanks to Derg
"dishing up" porridge and tea- Dearie,
mended little sandal-wood box for me- planted the seeds
mother Mother sent us - Both went to
sleep after dinner- Then went to "our dressing
room" for a swim- After supper sat on seat- T'was
lovely- then I wrote in here and started Mothers letter,
and Dearie read.
Mon: 5th.
Up at 5.30- Bright moonlight! Asunga washed Derg helped
me wash-up twice- Washed linen
diapers 2nd. time and sheets- Got tidied, and sewed- Derg
gave Larry a sheep-dip- I made bread
before tea- and Dearie had a dip in the Banyan Passage on
his way for Betty- Sewed an hour or
more after tea, then read some of "R of the W"
aloud and Dearie read some- It was nice- Sleeping
last few nights in little bed- Don't sleep half so well.
Tues: 6th.
Up 10 to 6. lovely day, only so much rain as we have had
makes it hot and steamy- Derg and I
and Larry out in boat to see what drifting log was! Baked
bread- Derg made a grand ladder- Tired,
got sewing started but rested instead Went with my boysie
to see him swim- Wrote in here , and
sewed.
Wed: 7th. July.
Did mending in afternoon- A.T. here- Let him have Daddies
Halter- Said he would exchange
turkey- A.T. Exchanged piggies- Went with Derg to get
Betty.
Thurs: 8th.
Expect the Missus any day- so made sponge sandwich and
scones- Sewed all afternoon- went
with Dearie while he fed pigs and fowls. Read after
supper.
Fri: 9th.
Up 15 to 6. Baked bread for boys, 1/- worth! Washed socks
and stockings- Got some oranges
yesterday-
Derg chopped ningette-tree by pigs yard, down- sewed and
wrote in here in after-
Sewed at the 3rd. little dress after supper- We had our
light on sideboard, and our chairs together,
as we like them, sure!
Sat: 10th.
Made a soda loaf, and scones and did our house!; unpicked
waist of dress dyed green- poached
eggs and bacon for breakfast!! the bacons beautiful-
After a rest I walked with, Dearie, as far as
White sands- and sat and darned socks there, and waited
for my boysie- t'was lovely- He walked
on to "Lokalee" to see Mr.Pitt, who is there
with a sore leg- Sark, Senior, gave us a beauty
cocoanut- Finished band on green skirt after supper- Went
to bed 20 pt.9.
Sun: 11th.
Up at 6.30. Dearie had breakfast ready- I was so long,
somehow- Biscuits and milk, poached egg
and cold meat.
Dear old boysie- In morning he changed my things in press
to the top drawer- and helped be look
to things in tin trunk- took us till dinner- - - -
Pudding got to my head! Slept till 20 to 4!! Only
Dearie played his organ first- Did my hair and put my
face in basin- and we went after Betty, and
got bait on the beach for tomorrows fishing, hurrah!
watched Dearie water the garden; wrote in
here and to Mother- Asunga, did not go to school, today.
Mon: 12th.
Dearie, wished me "Many happy returns" before
my eyes were quite awake! He my dearie, got
breakfast ready before I was dressed- We hurried after
breakfast, as we were going out for the day
in the boat fishing- An outing, my darling had planned
for my birthday- So my boy washed the
dishes, while I did the bedroom- and although it looked
rainy, away we went- Larry, too- Had an
anchor! and fished, but n'er a fish caught- Rain came,
bless it- we got out at "Pretty beach" and
started our picnic, but the rain teemed down, so Derg
blew the shell for the boys and away we all
pulled for cosy dry, home- Had melting moments a bit- and
we finished our picnic in our room-
Dearie, made some lovely tea, and our outing in the
morning, and then the little picnic, were both
grand- the dear old boy- Rained rest of day- on and off I
went to sleep- a long time- we read most
of the afternoon, Derg started to make a frame I ate his
chocolates- A lovely evening, we read
Dearies book together.
Tues: 13. July.
Up about 6- wet again- off and on- After dinner, rest,
and a tidying, started to mend Derg's flag.
Had a cup of tea only at 3. Derg away to clearing, only
he tidied and sorted medicines, and hung
"The S.G.School" which he made lovely frame for
this morning- Supper was late- I sewed after-
then read some of Derg's look aloud.
Wen: 14th.
Up at 5 to 6. Busy all morning- Baking bread, scones etc.
Sewed after:- Derg away with boys in
morning and afternoon- "Ninnie" working
yesterday and today- Wet early in morning- cleared
before dinner- Asunga finished ironing afternoon we went
after Betty and Dearie said "we had a
grand little supper"- hurrah! Sewed and wrote here.
That bad boy reading my old Diary!
Thurs: 15th.
Did about 1 hrs. Sewing in morning- Got tidied after
dinner and rest. Cut Dearies hair. Had a cup
of tea each. Read "G. Eyre" a wee few minutes!
and sewed- Then we went after Betty- Put 6 eggs
under clucky-hen- sat on our seat a while after supper-
Sewed, and Derg read- We both read aloud
later.
Fri: 16th.
Up about 5 to 6. Pouring wet, early- But a fine, cloudy
day- Sewed most of morning- A Sardine
and coffee lunch! Derg over to W.Sands about bag of corn-
Asked A.T. and N.T. Pitt to Sun
dinner- Wrote in here, in rest time and after wrote to
mother until 2.pm.- then sewed- Met Derg at
4.pm. sharp! at Corn house and we had a lovely swim-such
waves, and a cold wind! Sewed after
tea, Finished 3rd nuns veiling nightie.
Sat: 17th.
up about 5 to 6. Busy cooking for today and tomorrow, and
baking bread and scones, Tired a bit-
Got tidied and we were hunting up names, when in walked
Mrs. Mackenzie and Jean; and later
on, I went on, I disgraced myself by rather plentiful
melting moments! It was horrid, annoying,
and everything else- Missus left soon- don't wonder- and
Dearie and I had tea late, about six and
then I was fairly right, and we both had comfy old read-
in bed about 9.
Sunday: 18th.
Up about 6.30. Coffee and biscuits- Expect A Thomas and
Mr. Pitt to dinner.
They came- they left soon after 4. and we went after
Betty the pigs and the fowls. had our supper
on the seat- Wrote more of mothers letter.
Mon: 19th.
Dearie was washing-up, for me, and I finished bedroom,
when the "Tamarina" came in.(A small
schooner). and, and off we went in the boat- Derg and
Man-o-war pulling and I steering Got
tomato-sauce and curry-powder. and Bacay- Home about 11.
Gut out diapers in after:- on seat
after tea- then I went to bed, I was so tired- and cried
plenty- Dearie was dear to me and I went to
sleep close up to him.
Tues: 20th. July.
Dearie wanted me to stay for breakfast but I was righto
and up-o- Sewed from 9.30.am. and after
about 4. Then walked to "white Sands". Got
ferns- Made bread before tea, then Derg told me
about "Turnback Mt." into Gippsland, as I
darned 1 pr. socks and then went to bed, I was so tired.
Wed: 21st.
Up about 10 to 6. Baked bread and scones - Steamed
treacle pudding- Our bed-clothes out in sun.
A. did bedroom- Boys making copra- After dinner Derg Dug
up a new little garden at the end of
bathroom- Yesterday cooked another piece of meat 2½
lbs.:- At four Derg and I went for a grand
swim past corn house- After tea watched him water the
garden- only 1 small can, so I cant water-
Wrote after.
Thurs: 22nd.
Our clock more than 20 mins: fast. So been getting up
soon after 5.30!!
Up this morning at 5.30. Started sewing (mending Dearie's
shirts) at 9.30.- Sitting room done out-
so dusted it.
Opened new tin of Oatmeal- Dearie planted tobac, and
parsley; and balsam seed near our
bathroom door- He was working hard at copra all day- Got
tidied and sewed all after- then about
20pt:4 we had a lovely swim- After supper finished shirt
patches- Derg turned handle- wrote in
here and then some letters.
Fri: 23rd.
Up 5.30. The May Queen with Mr. Harland and Mr. Choyer on
board in about 11.am. Derg went
off to see them, and came back for milk for them- Mr. H-
on his way home- They did not land as
they were in a hurry- Dearie back to dinner about one-
Sewed till quarter past four, then we went
for a swim- Derg carried bag of copra to G. house on our
way- Both tired after supper so we had
our easy chairs and I read some of "R. Grange"
out. and we went to bed about 10 to 8. A lovely
evening.
Sun: 25th.
Up about 6.30. Rained in night so we could not take
dinner out as we had hoped- Wrote to Father
in morning- Derg planted more of seeds- About 10 to 3 we
walked as far as the Thomas' boat
house- saw a lovely lot of sandal-wood- Got an order for
3 or 4 loafes of bread- hurrah! Dearie
had a swim at "our dressing-room; and Larrie caught
a huge rat by the Corn-house- After supper
sat on the seat Quite a long time- such a lovely soft
moonlight night and been such a lovely day- I
wrote afterwards.
Mon: 26th.
Up 5.30 Asunga lit fire only and started boiler-fire and
washing right away- I got breakfast, laid
etc.- Deary, helped me, rather he washed up- Swept our
sitting-room, kitchen and bedroom-
cooking etc. Recut jacket Mother sent- We had a lovely
old swim after 4.pm.- Asunga after Betty,
I laid table and helped her wash up. The dear old boy
made the double quantity of bread for boys-
Wrote to Ed- We went to bed at 8 to get ½ hrs. read, and
read till 10!
Tues: 27th. July.
Up 15 to 6. Derg made bread up, and I baked it; also some
cakes- Asunga Ironed I starched "the
accumulation", and ironed in the after also wrote a
little- We sat on the seat after supper for a
while, then came in and wrote. Derg wrote to Captain
Sheppherd, to see can he charter him and
his cutter for a fortnight, from Sept. 5th.- Hope he can-
Wed: 28th.
A- did bedroom out. I was changing after our rest about
2.pm.- when the steamer whistled- Derg
went, and took Asunga to see the steamer- I stayed at
home- Sewed a little- then when the "Giant"
brought the mail, read letters till Dearie came-
somewhere about 5. Copra bagged when steamer
in sight! Beautiful copra, Sure. £5:19:6 for this and
last months. £13 a ton. Had supper-
Thompsons arrived- Mackenzies all gone to Nogugu with
"Jim"- Read letters and opened a lovely
parcel from Mother- Mrs. Cecil sent 4 lovely pr. of
booties- Mother 4 long lovely petticoats, dear
old Mother.
Thurs: 29th.
Sitting-room day- and Derg and I put groceries- Top of
stove came too- Shoes for me- and
stockings and socks-
Got tidied and sewed and Dearie did his accounts- About
15 to 5. we went for Betty Sewed till
about 15 to 9. then we had some wheaten-meal and milk to
try and give Dearie a good night, he
has been restless and wakeful just lately.
Fri: 30th.
Up 20 to 6. Baked some scones and busy about all morning-
Dearie, made us a knife board- and
did the oars with leather- Got tidied, wrote in here and
sewed- Derg killed another pig for us this
afternoon- Kate, sent me her little book by the steamer-
Bread terribly bad. Set it this evening- Me
terribly tired, and Fidgets in one leg! Went to bed
early, cried a wee bit, and Dearie but me to
sleep, the dear old boy- He had a grand sleep all night-
hurrah!
Sat: 31st.
up 5.30- Derg cut up pig before breakfast, and we had a
loveliest- (except the ones before) pork
chops for breakfast- A little after 2. we went across in
the boat to see, rather "call on" Mrs. and
Mrs. Thomson- Found them at "The Mission"- We
like them, her specially- Went to see Lisa's
new baby, and took her a bottle of milk- Had new leather
shoes on and got them in the sea, dress
and petticoat too!! Sewed after supper. Finished blue
spotted print, jacket and shirt.
Sun: 1st. August.
Up at 7. Both of us busy till about 11. when we left,
with our dinner, for Nobweisi's Passage-
Natives there at dinner time getting there boat out- A
lovely day, and breeze- We started reading
one of "Allen Rain's" books, I read it aloud-
Just a lovely day we had- home about 5. Had a wash
after helping Asunga wash-up. Then my Dearie and I had
some more reading.
Mon: 2nd.
Up about 25 to 6. Asunga washing- Busy in kitchen and
house till nearly 4! in spite of Derg,
washing the dinner
things- the dear old boy- Got tidied and sewed a bit-
Derg made the brawn too. I baked scones.
The tanks almost finished- its been dry so long- Got tea
ready, and had just sat down When horrid
old crying came along- I was very tired- could not stop
for a good while- Went to bed, and Dearie
came and read in bed too,(the dear old boy was in earlier
too, to comfort me up a bit.) We had a
bowl of junket each, for our supper.
Tues: 3rd. August.
Deary made the bread, I baked it this morning- Our first
brown bread and just lovely. Made a
batch of cottage -cakes- Horribly tired all morning,
cried a wee bit just finished things by dinner
time- My boy and I had a grand old rest on the little
bed, and I was righto- in fact had a sleep till
2! Got tidied and sewed a little, darned- Then about 15
to 4. went to clearing by beach with
Dergie, and saw him have a swim- Derg carried water from
the well for the garden- Darned after
supper- Poured grandly most of the night-hurrah, for it!
Wed: 4th.
Ironed Dearie's white coat- Washed brushes Put clean
clothes away; dinner etc. Did a little
sewing= After dinner got tidied and sewed. About 4 took
Derg's towel and trousers and watched
him swim- We put 7 chicks in yard, after supper- Derg
made small enclosure for bush fowls-
Sewed- Very hot and close evening.
Thurs: 5th.
Sitting-room done out, I always dust it- Sewed some
buttons on trousers- After our after dinner
rest went with Derg and saw him dig up the ginger, and he
weeded the bed- Very hot- Got tidied-
and cut up Mummie apples for jam- Derg helped me- Asunga
cleaned Kitchen "silver"- Set bread
and then cut up ginger- Dearie helped me. After 8 so we
went to bed.
Fri: 6th.
Up 15 to 6. Put jam on. Baked bread, cooked dinner- 12
jars of jam- made beds after our rest-
Dergie cleaned chimney and stove- I started clothes for
wash- covered jam and wrote in here, etc.-
Went with Derg to get Betty.
Sat: 7th.
In kitchen all morning- Made beds after rest and swept
bedroom over- Got tidied- Sat down to
sew about 15 to 4! Derg reading- Hurrah for Saturday
afternoon!Expected little "T's" but they
came not- Flowers all about the sitting-room, from our
dear pretty garden, Dearie worked so hard
at- Very tired and could not help wee cry- Had rest on
sofa before supper- 5 eggs today!! 3
chickies out yesterday- no ducks- Dearie watered garden,
and we then sat on seat- then I sewed a
little- Went early to bed- Fidgets in one leg! About
10.pm. went to get Derg who was restless,
poor old boy, a biscuit- and some milk and stumbled on
front door mat and broke small chimney
of lamp and cut 1 foot a little- My Dearie syringed it
and bandaged it and cleared glass etc. up- He
was good to his clumsy old wife.
Sun: 8th. August.
Staying in bed to rest foot, which is "no bad at
all"- Had coffee and biscuits in here, Dearie made
lovely coffee- a lovely morning, and its grand in our
dear comfy bedroom- In bed till somewhere
near four- Then had 2nd. bath and got dressed- Derg had
nice long sleep after dinner. He made
sauce for the pudding and we had a lovely dinner- Dearie
is copying a lot of Mrs. Kin's book
"Motherhood" He did some more in afternoon- I
wrote n'er a word, was tired and after tea had a
horrid time with fidgets in my legs. Cried a wee bit- We
were reading aloud turn about too- It was
grand. We went to bed early.
Mon: 9th.
Dearie helped me lots, like he always does, now on
Mondays- Did before too, my dear old boy.
He cleaned the filter this morning. I sat down to sewing
about 9.30. Sewed all after too and after
supper. Fowls laying better. Omelet for supper. Junket
each at nine o'clock. rained in night.
Tues: 10th.
Not awake till 6. am.!! Both slept like tops- Cooked
3lbs. of our meat for dinner. Made and set of
"cottage" cakes- Mr. C. gave Derg a pac. of
chocolate! and rose apple trees- Malekulains about
again! A lovely windy day- Derg saw Mr. Choyere and
Arthur in the morning- "May Queen" in-
and asked them to come to afternoon- tea- they came,
Dearie had such a nice box of cutting ready
for Mr. Choyiere, and got Ginger too- Washed cups, and
Mums teapot, and set brown bread-
Sewed after tea.
Wed: 11th.
Baked bread- Made yam-pie- (instead of potato-) Sewed in
after. Tired in afternoon and cried at
teatime, just a little- Dearie came and kissed the old
tears away- Sewed after supper- Finished
Napkins.
Thurs: 12th.
Sewed a little in morning- Sitting room morning- Port
Olry boys here dinner at 12.30- Dearie
copied some more of book in afternoon, and I sewed- Sewed
after supper- Went to bed at 8, and I
read Shakespeare"s life aloud.
Fri: 13th.
Did not wake till 6!! again! Since Tuesday its been
lovely windy days, and cold nights- perfect
weather- Hurried up and had a nice long time of sewing in
morning- Malekulars expended 2/6 at
store! After rest, got tidied, and sewed- at 10 to 4 went
to clearing where Maurice, my maurice
was working with boys, and he took me for a walk to the
white sands- Sat there and a little while,
then came home and went to Banyan passage, and dearie had
a swim- I set bread after supper,
then darned.
Sat: 14th.
19 of the Malekulans, working at the clearing for Derg-
So he was away with them all day- in
spite of it being
Saturday, poor old boy! Asunga a worry over the washing
this morning, so smacked her ear for
her, not hard enough to hurt much- took Dearie some milk
and cake about 10.30. Cried a wee bit,
Bless the "young woman".
Some lovely little fish for dinner, also tea and
breakfast- Made a cake. a nut cake, after dinner-
busy about till after 4. Dearie only back in time for
tea, about six- read a little while on sofa after
tea, then went to bed and read a bit.
Sun: 15th. August.
My Boysie had a horrid restless night- About one o'clock
he got us a biscuit and some water- a
grand supper.
I'm getting fidgets and cramps in my legs a good lot
these nights.
Up about 7.30! Dearie would not stay in bed- We both
wrote in morning- And Derg made a nice
custard for dinner. Dinner about 12.30- A lovely rest
after- Changed my dress- and about 4 we
went to far clearing after Betty- Tea about 6.- Asunga,
strolled in when all was ready! would like
to have shaken her! We both went to bed early, and I read
some of Dearie's book aloud "King
Solomon's Mines"- about the battle- (After tea just
sitting on the seat when we saw the "Oui Oui"
coming in- so took the lantern and walked round to the
"Great Mans" boat-house, ne'r a sign of
him, so back home again.)
Mon: 16th.
Up by lamps- light before 5.30! Derg off in boat to
"Oui Oui" before breakfast. I swept over
sitting and bedroom, and got breakfast. Washing-day-
Dearie helped me, like he always dose with
the wash-ups- Sewed at little clothes all afternoon, and
after tea till about after 8.- Dearie had a
good night last night, hope he's left the restless ones
behind.
Tues: 17th.
Up 5 to 6- our clock is fast again, I am sure- Sewed
about 1hr. in morning.
Bacon and eggs for breakfast, beautiful, bacon of Derg's
salting- Sewed in afternoon- I then met
Derg, who was at clearing, and we had a grand old swim-
Sewed after supper.
Wed: 18th.
Dearie but clock back 25mins. Twice as good for getting
up by now! hurrah!
Thurs: 19th.
Left about 4 and met Derg, and we had another swim- Sewed
after supper.
Fri: 20th
Had a horrid night, last night, with fidgets- so Dergie
made me stay in bed to breakfast, and I
brought me in a sumptuous one, the dear old boysie- Egg
in cream, bread and milk and a lovely
cup of tea- Up at 8. Expected, perhaps, the young men,
and Mr. fish, (Derg wrote a letter, and I
sewed) but they "came not"- WE went as far as
the White sands, and saw the boys at the clearing-
Such a cold night, coldest I've felt too- Santo-fidgets
again! Worst of them is they make my boysie
have a bad night too.
Sat: 21st. August.
Up at 6- cooking etc. all morning- After dinner, a rest
and a tidy, we went, Dergie to "Lokalee"
and I with him as far as White Sands- Darned a little
only, as I broke my 2 needles- Saw the
"French Recruiter"- Sewed, and had Tepid bath
before going to bed- Very cold.
Sun: 22nd.
Breakfast of coffee and biscuits about 8.- I wrote the
rest of Mother's letter, in morning and
afternoon and evening- Derg wrote too- we went to far
clearing after Betty- Saw Dearie, feed pigs
and fowls.
Mon: 23rd.
Derg helped me with washing-up in morning, and did it all
for me after dinner, so I got to Sewing
soon- Sewed too in morning- Derg made bread in evening
for me, and made it up next morning,
grand bread, like his always is- Sat on seat for a
little- Then I darned- (We each had our easy
chairs.)
Tues: 24th.
Up at 5.30. Baked bread- and had the loveliest, fattest,
bush-chuckie, we have ever had for
dinner- Got quite a nice bit of sewing done in morning-
sewed in afternoon and Dearie wrote-
About 15 to four went to "our dressing-room"
for a swim- Sat under the tree on the beach, on our
way till a shower was over- Tea at 5.15- Round about
place a bit with Derg, Then sewed- and
after each read out some of "Romeo and Juliet".
Wed: 25th.
Tired in morning, or bilious; had too much ginger-jam on
my scone at 10! (painful confession-)
Righto when I saw my Boysie- We both had a sleep during
rest time- Got tidied Cut Dergie's hair.
Pain in back a bit, so lay on sofa a little- Went with
Derg when he fed his "farm yard" full- Sat a
while on seat after supper. A lovely day, and night.
Wrote in here and some notes- Had Tepid bath- hurrah, for
it! Had one cascara the 1st. for
months.
Thurs. 26th.
Dearie, oiled machine for me- Finished early, and got
some sewing done in morning- doing
shirts- Sewed till four- then I met Derg and we had a
swim- (Boiled a 4lb.piece of our own bacon
for dinner-) finished writing for this mail after supper-
sewed a little- and we walked up and down
the garden path before we went to bed A glorious cool,
moonlight night.
Fri: 27th.
Up at 5.30- (about) Bacon and eggs for breakfast- Made
cakes and scones, dinner etc. After
dinner wrote in here, got tidied and sewed- Derg gone to
White sands to see about weighing corn-
[ Felt "the little chap" moving- hurrah!]
About 10, (in bed some time!) heard sails! Dearie tired
too; but got up and dressed to go out to
steamer- He went and found it was the H.M.S. Prometheus
with the Admiral, Sir Richard Poore,
on board- Home about 12.pm., after a nice time on board-
I had a tepid bath, and was a sleep
when my boysie came.
Sat: 28th. August.
Up at 5.30. Boat arrived from
"Prometheus" to say the Admiral, and others,
were walking round
and would be here by 10.30.am. Had tea all ready, and
Derg got some lovely orchids and ferns,
the dear old boy (had a fall getting them.) and a tray
ready for the sailors- The Admiral, Capt.
Glosset, and Mr. fisher, here- All very nice- especially
the Admiral- Arther with them- Mr. and
Mrs. Thompson called!! Darned a little in afternoon also
after tea, which we had at our seat.
Sun: 29th.
Up about 7- I looked at "our presents", to see
they were right- also knifes (re- vaselined them) and
turned out spoon and fork draw- We had a lovely long
sleep and rest on little bed, after dinner-
After Dearie, wrote a splendid article for the
B.A.Magazine, to be- We each wrote home an
account of "the visit of Admiral" after tea;
Dearie read me his, and I read him mine- T'was fun!-
took Quinine in afternoon as I felt a bit like fever- We
fed the pigs and fowls.
Mon: 30th.
Dearie did the washing-ups for me- Made scones, sewed at
(mending) shirts all afternoon- Cried
before dinner, a wee bit, was just tired. Derg, cemented
holes in Kitchen, and put new boards
across door- Boys Finished the last of the new big block-
Hurrah! My Boysie worked hard at it
too- In after started Betty's paddock- Sat on seat after
tea; I cried a wee bit more- Darned
afterwards- (We put hens on 2 lots of eggs)
Tue: 31st.
One black duck with 15 little ducks! by boys house- we
put coop for her. We packed Dearie's
things for "Meeting" at Turtle Bay and,
perhaps, Recruiting- also "Kit"!
Sewed all afternoon at the wee clothes- Derg out with
boys- We fed pigs and fowls,, and Dearie
sold 2 pigs to Oba boys- sat on seat a little while-
Glorious moon-light. I sewed and Derg read-
Went to bed about 8.30- - - Arther arrived at here at 10.
15. pm.!- - - He slept on sofa.
Wed: 1st. September.
Cutter, in front- - - Derg up at 5.am. I a little after-
"Tambo" in, at last, about 6.30.- Derg and
Authur left in Cutter about 10.am. for Turtle Bay. Got a
tow, I think- Dearie, not going recruiting,
because I cried a bit- am sorry if I have really stopped
his going- Man-o-war, Asunga, and I busy
putting Groceries etc. away all afternoon- After tea, did
some watering, wrote in here, etc. Had a
tepid bath- went to bed at 9.- Do miss my darling.
Thurs: 2nd.
Up at 5.30.- Watered front garden- We gave sitting a
through do out- not finished till nearly
three- Made some scones- Got tidied and sewed- Asunga and
I fed fowls (I put eggs the hen left in
the morning, Under her in the large fowl-house-) Watered
garden behind house- Sat on seat a wee
bit- Then sewed till 25 to 10. In bed at 10.
Fri: 3rd. September.
Up 20 to 6- and expect Derg today! Asunga did bedroom-
Watered front garden- Made 1 pt. of
lime syrup- sewed a little in morning- Yesterday, and
today very hot. Wrote in here after dinner,
got tidied and sewed- We fed the fowls- did no more
watering- Sewed after tea- Asunga said she
saw a light, we watched it go round to White-sands- then
Asunga took the lantern and went to see-
It was Dergie! hurrah! We lit a fire and got tea for him,
while he had a warm bath. Poor old
boysie, he got more sun-burnt than anyone I ever saw- all
his back and the back of his arms and
his face- It had kept him awake the last 2 nights; so
made the bed soft for my boysie, and dabbled
him over with oil- Not in bed till somewhere about 10.30-
Reading letters and talking.
Sat: 4th.
Got Dearie to stay in bed till after breakfast- we both
had a grand one in our dear pretty old room-
Dearie, milked after- (Grand to have a milk-dish full,
again! Peter got a wee drop). Baked bread,
and a sponge-cake- got dinner etc. Its grand with Derg
home again- Different entirely! Derg rested
a while after dinner on his bed, and had a little sleep-
I sewed a little in after, Then we went round
to pigs and fowls- (yesterday Asunga discovered Mrs.
Turkey with 4 little turks!) and after,
watered the garden- Supper about 6. Sewed after it About
3.am. we got biscuits and milk, as we
were both a bit wakeful.
Sun: 5th.
Woke up, both of us, with the sun (the scorcher!) shining
strong! 20 to 8!! The dear old boy made
the coffee after milking- Coffee and biscuits for
breakfast.
Mothers usual grand letter, and a nice satin wrapper.
etc. by the mail on Wednesday- also grand
lot of things from Anthony H,s- Washed head this morning-
We had a lovely rest on our bed this
afternoon- (Sent note to Dr., who is expected on Wed.)
Out about pigs, chooks and garden with
Derg- No letters to write, so had our comfy chairs and
each read aloud some of " The idle
thoughts"- Went to bed at 15 pt. 8.
Mon: 6th. September.
Dearie, helped me with washing up, like he always does on
Mondays now- he did it all in
morning- sewed in after- sewed after supper.
Tues: 7th.
Up at 5.30. had a bit of sore-throat- Bacon and eggs
again for breakfast! Poor Dergs back, is so
irritable at times, its horrid for him. He stands it
grandly, the dear old boy.
An order for 4 loaves of bread- Derg made 2 soda loaves
this morning and kneaded up 2 more
besides our own this evening- Dearie, slept on this
afternoon until 15 pt. 3.- he has lost so much
sleep lately with his back being so sun, burnt, poor old
boysie had afternoon tea when he woke up,
which seemed to give him a sharp pain, like indigestion
but he was soon righto and out seeing the
boys and getting Betty- Boys brought water from well, and
Derg gave the garden a grand doing- I
ironed a wee bit, and sewed- Wrote in here after supper ,
and sewed.
Wed: 8th. September.
Baked bread- 2/- for some for boys- Derg made soda-water
and a 10 egg sponge-cake- (made 2
beauties) Sewed in afternoon, till about four when Derg
and I got as far as the corn-house and had
a swim- It poured after we got back- Sewed after we got
back- Sewed after supper, a little only,
was tired, so went to bed early.
Thurs: 9th.
A wet morning- Showery- Derg planted Sunflower and new
balsam seeds.
Sewed a little in morning- Dearies back still troubling
him- it has almost finished skinning the
poor old boy- I rub oil, or cream and bathe too with
borasic- Sewed-. in afternoon- and after tea-
---- started bathing with the tea- In bed at 9.
Fri: 10th.
Dearie, monkey soaped the bath for me. Poured last night,
all tanks full! Rained till about 8.am.
Not up till 6.am. too wet- Doctor Mackenzie rode over
about 11.am.
Its lovely! I am to go to the mission in November-
hurrah! for it- No Ambrim- No sewing all day-
Went with Dearie as far as corn-house to plant tomatoes
Tired and got the old pain in my back
again- Had wee rest on sofa- then set bread, and we got
tea- After we, Derg and I, cut the wings of
8 chicks and put them in the yard. 1st. Mrs. white duck
got 6 ducks out today-
Read papers on sofa and write here- Cried a bit, going to
bed, I was tired some how- Neither of
us very sleepy- at 10.pm. we went after biscuits and
milk! they were grand- I read some of "The
Puritan's Wife" for a little, aloud.
Sat: 11th. September.
Dearie, brought me breakfast in bed, the dear old boy- he
worked up the bread and put it in the
oven- and cleaned the Chuckie- one of the three young
roosters- A grand lot done for me when I
got up! Just had to make the 2 beds after dinner- Since
Doctor came on Friday, back been pretty
bad- Lay down most of afternoon (Cried a wee bit too)
Derg, in with his pipe, to keep me
company- Righto after tea, so sewed till 9.15.- Derg had
warm bath and about 10 we had a biscuit
and some milk, and I slept like a top! Derg's back woke
him up a little bit.
Sun: 12th. September.
Up at 7.25! Coffee and biscuits- Not an inch of cooking,
but putting yam in oven- Dearie, made
soda-water- After I'd made beds etc. Derg read me bits of
"The Diary"- I'd forgotten how very
good it is- After a grand sleep in afternoon we went to
see the tomato plants by the corn-house-
Got back, had a rest, and at 4.30., Dearie, went after
Betty- not back till 15 to 6!! just too bad-
Tea, sometime after 6.- Went after chicks with Derg-
Wrote in here, and had a read.
Mon: 13th.
Up about 15 to 6. Did a little sewing in morning- (Dearie
washed all things from breakfast)- A
horribly tired and back ache feeling till after our rest-
Got tidied and sewed- about 4, cut Dearies
hair- used grand new scissors for 1st. time- went with
Derg after Betty- 2 mother pigs
brought in yesterday 10 little piggies- also 10 more
little ducks- 2nd. ducks-
Got under a banana clump till the rain was over!
side of back sore again-
Dearie, brought in another 11 eggs from nest- Finished
head flannel, on sofa, after supper- looked
up- - - -wrote in here.
Tues: 14th.
Up at 10 to 6- The dear old boy, had breakfast all cooked
for me!
Sairsep, gone home again, for a bit, as Wyamaheth is
sick- The "Aspirant" left on Saturday.
Turned out wet and showery. Derg wrote to Herbert in
afternoon, and I finished after supper-
Ironed some dear little garments in afternoon and other
little jobs- Pain in side again, rested on
sofa after supper, and sewed.
Wen: 15th.
Bedroom done out, Dearie mended top of bed- and we had
all the bed clothes out.
Asunga got a sugar-bag of nungahs in afternoon-... I was
down about corn-house with Dergie-
and tidied top of press-
Started tops for bed after supper.
Thurs: 16th.
"The Oba Aspirant" here- Derg got 13 cwt. and a
quarter copra from him- I sewed in after and
Derg wrote to Lou- Put "top frill" on bed after
tea.
Fri: 17th. September.
Busy till dinner- sewed after- looked out calico for some
more small nighties- and cut patterns
different- The Oba A. here after tea for vinegar The
Doctor here in afternoon.
Sat: 18th.
Derg's back been very irritable all this time, poor old
boy, so I persuaded him to go out to the
Doctor's this morning- He , says it is prickly heat after
the sunburn, and brought him some
ointment and 3 huge tabloids this afternoon; and I bathe
it with hot water and dust over with
borasic.
Sun: 19th.
Up at 7. We pottered round with the wee ducks, and I with
things in General till dinner- Dergs
back better, he had much better night- Hurrah! Had our
usual "Sunday rest" a long one after
dinner- hurrah, for it ! Wrote in here began Mothers
letter- Then went round pigs ect. with Derg.
Wrote an hour at M's letter after tea, then read some of
" Rob Roy" with Derg- in bed at 9.
Mon: 20th.
Up 25 to 6- Derg mended lamp and opened the case of
kerosene- Boys started making copra-
Showery, yesterday, Beautifully fine today- Dearie, dried
dishes for me, would not let him wash
because of his back- Very hot and steamy- Cut out one
small nightie- Sewed some of it after
supper- Dearie made the bread.
Tues: 21st. September.
Baked bread- Busy till dinner Tired, and cried a bit;
"young man" over in after, but I sewed in our
room, as my eyes were red!
We went to bed early, about 7. Derg, just to keep me
company- I was restless, when I should have
been asleep I would cry from tiredness; headaching too-
It was a shame for I Kept waking my
Dearie.
Wed: 22nd.
all right again, feel grand- Sewed a little in after and
we got the Turkish ready for Derg- he had it
about 15 to 5. got into bed, and we had tea in our dear
old room- Dearie up after and we had our
usual cosy evening, I sewed.
Thurs: 23rd.
Raining on and off every day, mostly on- Derg finished
painting books with mixture of ½ oz.
<Corrosive> sublimate, ½ oz. Carbolic-acid,
1 pt. Methylated Spirits- It ought to keep them
grand- I sewed a little in Afternoon and after tea, at
patching Dergs pyjama jacket- Went to see all
the copra in corn-house with my boysie, we sat on the
doorstep and watched H.M.S. Prometheus
steam up the bay-
Opened, and started to use A.B.C. Tea. Dearie had a warm
bath, before he went to bed.
Ate the last little bit of Derg's white bullock.
Fri: 24th.
Up soon after 5.30. Poured during morning, finer this
after. Doctor sent us a large basin of
"beef"- Grilled steak for dinner! Larrie,
catching plenty rats lately; needs to one took 2 little
Hens
out of one clutch- By Thursday 6 more of them-
Sewed in afternoon and after supper- finished 1st. little
nightie (of the 3)- At 8. Dearie had a
second sulphur bath- Poor old boy it gave him a bad
night, and made his back irritable-
Sat: 25th.
Derg stoned dates and chopped suit for the date pudding,
the dear old boy- Had roast beef for
dinner- to celebrate the dear old day. "Our wedding
day", of two years ago now- A lovely sunshine
day after the rain!
Cooked, arranged flowers etc.- (Its been the loveliest
two years- of course, every day, and all the
days lovely and happy-)
Derg and some of the boys chopped some of lime trees
down- a great improvement.
After dinner had a lovely rest with Derg, did his back,
(which was better, all the afternoon than
its been at all, hurrah!) got tided, and the clothes off
the line, and started sewing , when I finished
up the dear old day, crying! could not stop for a bit.
Dearie had his tea in with me, in our room-
Sat on our seat in the moonlight a wee bit. I was
restless, and fidgets in the leg at bedtime, but got
to sleep about 9.30. Dearie went to sleep early, and his
back seems getting righto for him.
Sun: 26th.
A beautiful fresh lovely day! Breakfast (bacon and eggs)
at 15 to 8-
About 10.am. Derg had another (the 3rd.) Turkish. His
back seems almost right, at last- poor old
boysie-
We had a grand rest- and then I wrote to Mother and Derg
was near me reading and smoking- I
went out to see pigs, ducks and chucks with him before
tea- Had tea about 6.pm. (waited for A- to
get back from school to get it) I wrote more after tea.
Mon: 27th. September.
Cut Dearie some lunch- He went about 8.am. with some of
the boys to Lathu for nuts- He got
round other side too- altogether 450 nuts.
I was busy in kitchen all morning- Made cottage-cakes-
etc. (Asunga washing)- Wrote, from 15
to 3 till about 5- Dearie home about 15 to 6- Grand to
see my Dearie, after a whole day away.
Tues: 28th.
I went over with my boysie after breakfast to get the
rest of the nuts, with 2 of the boys- Lathu,
was lovely, and we strolled about the pretty beach while
they skinned the cocoanuts, then we tied
them 2 and 2- Home in time for dinner-
Derg bagged the Oba copra, I went to corn-house to see
it-
Sewed a little, and ironed a wee dress- After tea had our
chairs out- Had a horrid restless night
again.
Wed: 29th.
Did some mending, a little in morning and some after
dinner- In morning found poor little, Don
John, with his leg broken- Dearie set it-
Derg ordered 3 more "Allenbury"" Teats
from 4 to 6-
Sat out in our chairs till about 20 to 10 last night-
Full moon just lovely.
All worked hard and late at Copra today- We both had a
grand night.
Thurs: 30th.
Up at 5.30. Sails! about 6- Derg had milked and had
breakfast and then went.
8 bags of our own copra and 12 bags from Oba- over a ton!
got £15 for it- hurrah! Dearie back
about 10. Hardly any news of "the book", and
its so disappointing- My Dearie waited so long, I
am sorry- Mother sent a box of things bottled plums, jam,
jelly, books, stockings, and socks ( to
save me darning)(only Dearie had set us both up too) etc.
etc. oh and 2 bibs- Back sore in
afternoon- Sat out in chairs till 7.30- Wrote in here,
and sewed a wee bit.
Mrs. Mackenzie home again from Nogugu- Dearie got me a
lovely new tooth brush.
Fri: 1st. October.
The"Young Man": here in the morning we all had
Lime juice- and soda and cake in the porch- I
sewed a good bit in morning- Sewed in afternoon. Tired,
and after tea sat out on chairs awhile,
then sewed.
Sat: 2nd.
Up 5.30. Dearie wanted me to stay in bed to Breakfast,
but I was righto, and its Saturday- Derg
made soda water and too loaves for boys- besides other
bread which I baked- Man-o-war in again!
just before 12. Only stayed about a
little over 1 hr. Dearie ready to go to her after dinner,
but She was out! Judge Rosely on board-
About 3 we heard oars and the Missus, Jean, and Henneth
arrived- with a boat-load of small
mission girls- So nice to see her again- She is always
the same, Kind and nice- Sat out a little,
then I cut out binders in our room- Fidgets, kept me
awake till after 12! We both read a little after
we went to bed.
Sat: 3rd. October.
Breakfast 20 pt.8!!! Had a lovely rest in bed- A lovely
day- A grand rest and sleep after dinner
with my boysie- Then we watered and fed chicks and fowls-
and had our chairs and Lawson in the
garden- t'was lovely- I got tea and Derg fed pigs and
fowls- sat on seat a little while- its a dear old
seat- Opened the lovely plums Mother sent us, they
are lovely- Wrote in here and read.
Mon: 4th.
Derg had a horrid bad night, just could not sleep. Up all
the same in morning- He, Larry, and
boys, caught the white bush pig again.
Poor Mrs. Turk, appeared clucking round, childless
yesterday morning- the horrid rats!
Sewed in afternoon about 15 pt. 4. went with Derg to
Passage and watched him have a swim- On
seat a little- Sewed, and went to bed early, about 8. I
read out loud a little while- Slept all night
with Dearie, But 1st.crab, then a hen off her eggs,
disturbed him, and he did not have a good night
too, even with my company! T'was too bad.
Tue: 5th.
Up 20 to 6 Sewed from about 9.30. and in afternoon till
about 4- when Dearie and I went to our
"Dressing-room" and had a lovely swim.
The poor old boy felt very sleepy, so stayed and read
bits out to me for a short while in after- got
him some tea about 20 pt.3- (Peter gone in "The
Phyllis" to Nogugu to try and get some boys-
Good luck to him!)
Sewed after supper- Dearie makes the bread for me lately-
Went to bed at 9.pm.- - - - Asunga
bought stuff for 2 dresses on Sat.
Wed: 6th.
Busy all morning- Washed brushes, and stockings and
socks- cooked and got some flowers-
Had 1st. tin of meat today, since before the white
bullock was killed.
Derg, Man-o-war and Ereketh cut up and moved the trunk of
an old fallen tree near the house,
they also got a swam of bees- in one of the new beehives-
hurrah!! Sewed a little; and about 4, we
had another lovely swim- Sewed after supper, and Dearie
read me some of "Trelawny"- 4 eggs
today!
Thurs: 7th.
Up at 5.30- Made a sponge-cake- Derg, made soda-water-
sitting-room day. (After getting tidy,
we looked through tea tray cloths and doyleys, and chose
some of the latter for the two Mothers
and Low-) Then the Doctor arrived- Had lime juice and
cake in the porch- The Doctor felt the
"little chap".
We put things away, and then I went with Dearie while he
had a swim- He salt-watered a
cocoanut, too
4 eggs again- sat out on chairs a little after supper,
Then I sewed and wrote in here- Dearie read.
(Doctor thinks t'will be about 26th.)
Fri: 8th. October.
Up about 20 to 6- Sat down to sewing about 10- Lovely,
Sou Easterly-
Derg, and the boy and a half, cut, carried and finished a
fine wood fence to keep the white pig in-
made a fine sty for it- Derg working till 6. I sewed all
afternoon, then Asunga and I fed the fowls-
Dearie did bread after tea- Then we sat out on chairs
until 8.30- Sewed a wee bit, and Dearie
read- wrote in here- Went to bed a little after 9.pm.- -
- - 3 eggs- Derg found a nest.
Sat: 9th.
Cried a wee scrap when I woke! but Dearie, was dear to
me, and I was soon righto- (like he
always is-) He had breakfast all ready, the dear old boy-
Finished house work and baking bread,
buns and scones by 10- Then sewed a little- Derg cleaning
knifes in the store all the morning- A
grand old rest on the little bed after dinner- Dressed by
3, I sewed, Dearie did some "business
documents"- Sat out after supper till 7.30- then I
sewed and Dearie read- In bed about 9.30.
Sun: 10th.
Dearie, brought coffee and bread and cream in to our room
at 8! T'was lovely- I had, had a bath,
but did not get up until 9! A lovely rest- pottered round
then, Dearie played music, and I wrote a
little; started dear old mothers letter-
After a lovely rest, and getting tidy; I wrote, and Derg
read and smoked- About 4.15 we went as
far as the bush by the White-sands- The young cocoanuts
there look grand- Then pigs, and fowls-
8 eggs. Tea at 6- Had our comfy chairs and both read- I
had to go about 8, to bed because of
"fidgets".
Mon. 11th. October.
Up a little after 5.30- Busy till 11.15- Then sewed a
little-
Altered and fixed navy sateen wrapper, Mother sent me-
Sewed till 4.15 - then we went to "The
Passage", and I cracked nungahs while Derg had a
swim, also Larry-
A few "melting moments" at tea time- After we
walked round the garden, and Dearie watered
some seeds and cuttings- Sewed after- and wrote in here.
Derg set hen in hen yard.
Tues: 12th.
Sewed a little and sorted out nighties clothes and things
and Derg packed them in basket for me
after tea- (Ready for the Mission!) Did not get to sleep
till after 12. Started "Flood Tide", read it
allowed, the poor old boy was awake too.
Wed: 13th.
Up at 6. Baked Dearies bread, it rose like a feather-
Made a sponge cake- Sorted out more things,
Mediums etc. to
pack. Dearie, packed them after our rest- Mrs. Mackenzie
and Kenneth here, nice and early- I
walked to pretty Beach, to there boat, with them- then
went round the "farm-yard" with Derg;
Who had been away mending the pig fence all the
afternoon- (Put in 50 posts!) Made "the little
chap's" list out and wrote in here- sewed a wee bit-
Asunga very tiresome in morning- I got cross
with her- Cried a bit about bedtime- Dearie, got me such
a nice warm bath- and I went to sleep
grandly with him- Both had a lovely night.
Thurs: 14th. October.
Up a little after 5.30- Left Asunga to the sitting room;
and Derg helped me pack the "little chaps"
clothes- We both had a grand sleep after dinner.
Derg, and the boy and a half, working at far flower
garden; put such lots of ashes and soil on-
I ironed white linen dress and white petticoat, then went
with my Boysie, to corn-house, and
watched he and Larry swim after sticks! Sure, I laughed!
After supper wrote in here darned and sewed.
Sat: 16th.
Derg made the soda-water first with borax! t'was too bad.
Dearie made up bread too, and I baked
it. Bread fruit for dinner, and a piece of lovely salted
meat, Dearie salted-
Derg went in after as far as white sands White Sands
thinking to see Mr. Corlette, but he had
gone I sewed till four and then took "Nungahs"
and went to meet my Boysie- found him waiting-
He (Derg) went for his bathing and to see some boys at
store- Then he came back and had a swim-
and its grand to watch my Dearie in the water.
A chicken poisoned by "rough on rats"- We sat
on our dear old seat after tea till rain drove us in-
I sewed and Dearie read- some aloud too- In bed about 10-
Nice rain in night.
Fri: 15th.
Horrid old melting moments, just before dinner too was
tired- but it was a shame, as I could not
have dinner with Derg- He kept me some hot, and I had it
after, with my Dearie beside me for
company- Had a rest with Dearie till two- then sewed a
little and went to the Corn-house while he
had a swim.
Derg gave the stove a extra cleaning out- sewed after
supper.
Sun: 17th.
Up a little after 7- Such a lovely Sunday rest with my
Darling-
A. Thomas arrived just as we were finishing breakfast,
and stayed to dinner- We walked as far as
the end of the "Pretty Beach" with him.
My Boysie had, had no rest, so we had a lovely one when
we got in, on our bed- Then round to
the chucks, etc.- Larry, killed 2 rats today- good little
fellow- Ereketh lit the fire- Asunga in, in
time to lay table- After supper wrote in here and wrote
to Mother-
Derg set "Common hen"- on 6 eggs.
Mon: 18th.
Up 5.30. Still too "ratty" for a bath! in the
wash-house- Derg helped me wash up, and sweep
sitting-room.
Irish-stew for dinner! (tinned). About 10.30 sat down to
darn a bit- Derg doing some accounts
too. Got tidied, darned a little; then cut Dearies hair-
ironed white muslin wrapper after. (1st. time
its been washed.) Derg made the tea and boiled the eggs
for me- He cooked breakfast too, while I
laid the table- Went round the garden, after- had a rest,
for about 10 mins., on our bed- Wrote in
here, and sorted out some things still to be packed for
the Mission.
Tue: 19th. October.
Derg, oiled and cleaned machine for me- Mended shirts and
pillow slip before dinner- After
ironing and altered bath-room pockets, and Dearie put
them up- About four met Derg, and he had
a bath at the Corn-house- Untrimmed mushroom-hat and
started trimming other; after tea.
Wed: 20th.
Sitting-room got a good do today- Trimming hat, all
afternoon- and after tea, after sitting on our
seat a little.
Asunga took note to Mission to say I will go there
tomorrow, so I got the fire lit and table down-
Derg got Lyhtfoot and did the "farm yard".
Thurs: 21st
Up 5.30- Bedroom got a good turn out- Finished hat, and
packing, and leaving things for my
Boysie- Shall be glad to be back home with him again, my
Dearie- Had a dear grand old rest on
our bed, after dinner- Then dressed and Derg brought me
over here-
So rough coming across, but arrived baskets and all grand
and dry thanks to my Dearies care.
Such a nice freshly painted, clean, room- - - - and the
Doctor and Missus both so nice and kind-
Doctor "stethoscoped" me- says "all's
right"- hurrah!
Dearie took all "our" clothes out of the basket
for me- Horrid to be left behind when he went.
Put every thing away before I went to bed- - - - Went to
sleep somewhere near daylight! A simply
awful night.
Fri: 22nd.
Wonder how by boy is- Lizzie did here and my room- Wrote
in here, and Doctor saw binders and
things- Then sewed- Had a bath after dinner- Mrs Thompson
here in after, we were all sewing-
After tea Dr. and Mrs. M. and I strolled round the
cocoanuts, sat on veranda after- Early to bed,
but could not sleep, sewed and read till after 12. pm.
Broke class of lamp.
Sat: 23rd.
Up 5.30- Horrid pains, Though I could not sit through
breakfast- but I did- Pains bad and getting
more frequent and painful. So wrote a line to my Dearie
to come- and he came before dinner-
Lizzie and I got bed ready, then sewed- In to dinner-
walked about room as long as I could! Then
"the Show" soon after dinner- Dearie with me,
and a little later helped me into the 2 nighties! still
about room, but pains horrid- had an enema- got into bed-
Baby born in daylight at 5.30.pm. The pains seemed to be
so long and then so hard to come!
Dr."took pains" etc. My Dearie with me all the
time.
Baby cried almost before she was born, so grand and
lustily the loveliest sound- No "little chap"
but the darlingest, prettiest little daughter, like a
sweet pink rose- WE both think her so like our
first dear little Babe.
The after birth would not come away, so the Doctor took
it away- after already going through so
much, it was dreadful- Last time must have been easy, for
this was so hard- Baby was on the bed
beside me after I was tidied, and they went into late
tea, Lizzie sitting here on floor- She slept in
next room and Derg on stretcher in with me- Mrs.M.- took
Baby when they went to bed, but she
cried so I got her back beside me- and Derg sat in a
rocking-chair besides his little daughter most
of the night, to keep her quite, the dear old boy- Had
some sleeping medicine, but slept little.
Sun: 24th. October.
The darling is lovely and so good- "Daddy" here
all the day and night and went early next
morning- 5.30- Some of the woman and white girls in for a
minute and Mrs.Thompson- Thomas
Bros. down in after and stayed to tea and talked so late.
Derg carried his daughter in to see them!
Neither Derg or I slept too well- Such lots of noises in
this large old mission- Dr. and Mrs.m. both
so kind, and so is every body.
Baby weighed 7 lbs. 8 ozs..
Mon: 25th.
Mrs. M. sent Maurice a note, as I cried and was a bit
upset after dinner- and was afraid of its
hurting "Baby Nell's" milk-
Dearie over so quickly, bought Larrie too, and soon
comforted me- he stayed the night- and baby
was so good-
Tues: 26.
Derg left 5.30, and will be back in after, the dear good
old boy- Baby sleeping a grand lot- but its
hard to feed her every 2 hrs. only. Have, I am thankful
to say, plenty of milk, and the Darling
sucks so well- can hardly yet believe, my Dearie and I
have a real live Baby!!! She's a beauty- the
sweetheart am trying to keep quieter- nearly cried again,
not quite- Derg here again in after,
brought his two young women, some sweet roses, and the
Missus 1 doz. fresh eggs and 2 days
cream.
Sat up in bed a little on Saturday night, and quite a lot
on Sunday, and up for almost an hour in a
chair on the Sunday, Just a week after Baby was born-
T'was lovely.
Mon: 1st. November.
Up after dinner- out on veranda with the Missus and Mrs.
T.- baby had her first outing out there
too- Went to bed after tea- had it in the dinning-room,
hurrah.
Tues: 2nd.
My Dearie comes over every afternoon and then leaves
before daylight almost the next morning.
Brings the missus eggs, cream pineapples and cucumber,
nungahs, mangos and all sorts of good
things. Lizzie some rice- and his "Sweet Nell"
and me, the sweetest bouquet of flowers, a big
mango a slice of lovely Gingerbread, he had made, always
something good, as if his dear old self
was not enough! There never was such a dear kind good old
boy, like Baby's and mine- Up all
day- have meals with others.
Wed: 3rd. November.
Up to breakfast- Bathed baby for the 1st. time- Dearie
here as usual in after-(just before tea-)
Derg is not coming again till Friday afternoon when Baby
is to be christened, and on Sat.
morning we leave for home about 7.30. in the morning, so
as the sun is not too hot for
Baby-Hurrah for the dearest and sweetest home in the
world- Feel grand and strong- Need too!
Our Girlie keeps us awake some few hours at nights, she
gets hungry for her drink before the
time- Lizzie takes her and so do I.
Thurs: 4th.
Up and bathed Baby before breakfast. Baby cried all of
"rest time", so walked about with her-
When she slept I was so sleepy I lay down and slept a
couple of hrs. I think- No Derg tonight!
Baby good all night.
Fri: 5th.
Dearie, here about 4. with flowers.
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NOTE This is the last entry in the diary
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